The optics weren’t great. The head coach was fired. Recruits were fleeing. During one week alone, nine prospects ditched their verbal commitments to UCLA as Chip Kelly began to take control of the program.

It all proved to be part of Kelly’s grand plan.

After many of the recruits who committed under the previous coaching staff bolted for other opportunities or were dropped by the new staff, Kelly grabbed four commits in 10 days before the early signing period in December. He continued that momentum by reeling in a baker’s dozen of new recruits since January.

Difference makers

QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson: The four-star quarterback from Bishop Gorman High is expected to figure immediately in the quarterback competition this summer with returning backup Devon Modster, last year’s third-string option Matt Lynch, and K.J. Carta-Samuels, who is expected to come to Westwood from Washington as a graduate transfer.

WR Bryan Addison: UCLA needs immediate help at the receiver position after losing four receivers from last year’s team. Addison is one of three four-star receivers who signed early, along with Chase Cota and Kyle Philips, and each could earn early playing time. Addison (6-foot-5 ) and Cota (6-foot-4) give the Bruins big receiving targets, while Philips is a technical route runner in the slot.

DB Stephan Blaylock: The Bruins loaded up on cornerbacks in the 2017 recruiting class, but didn’t sign a single safety last year, making Blaylock a coveted piece of UCLA’s group this season. The St. John Bosco alum may be seen as an eventual replacement for Jaleel Wadood, another Bosco alum whom Blaylock cited as an inspiration.

Big potential

DT Atonio Mafi: Mafi turns heads with his size alone. The 6-foot-3, 360-pound defensive lineman gives the Bruins a potential anchor in the middle of its new three-man defensive line. His only other Power 5 offer came from Cal, his original commitment, but UCLA won his signature after former Cal defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro took the defensive coordinator job at UCLA.

RB Kazmeir Allen: The running back with blazing sprinter’s speed seems like the prototypical Kelly recruit. He set a national record for total touchdowns in a single high-school season with 72, but must transfer his playing style to the Pac-12 level against top competition and equally fast defenders.

DE Steven Mason: At 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, Mason is an intriguing prospect for his length at the defensive end position. He played just one season at Southwestern Junior College, so he may still be raw, but he has the build that gives him big upside.

On the fence

WR CJ Parks: The Mater Dei receiver committed to UCLA last summer, but didn’t sign and may turn out to be an odd-man-out in a stacked receiver class. In addition to the three early signees, Kelly flipped Servite receiver Delon Hurt from Utah. The Bruins lost four receivers, so they need to reload at the position, but may be overstocked with Parks. He also has offers from Iowa State, Rutgers and Illinois.

OL Jarrett Patterson: The offensive lineman from Mission Viejo is deciding between UCLA and Notre Dame and will announce his choice at 7 a.m. Wednesday. He is a four-star prospect, according to 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings.

LB Solomon Tuliaupupu: One of the top linebackers in the country, Tuliaupupu will announce his decision at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday on ESPNU/ESPN2. The Mater Dei product is deciding between Notre Dame, USC and UCLA.

Thuc Nhi Nguyen has covered UCLA for the Southern California News Group since 2016. A proud Seattle native, she majored in journalism and mathematics at the University of Washington. She likes graphs, animated GIFs and superheroes.